Griffith College Éanna prevail after double overtime while Garvey’s Tralee Warriors extend unbeaten run and UCC Demons finish top in derby

Griffith College Éanna required double overtime to edge out EJ Sligo All-Stars 100-99 in Coláiste Éanna on Saturday night, getting their Men’s Super League title defence back on track following two successive defeats, while current leaders, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors extended their record to 7 and 0 after they comfortably accounted for Maree 107-75 in Tralee Sports Complex. In Sunday’s Cork derby, UCC Demons ran out convincing 106-76 winners at home against Energywise Ireland Neptune.

Defending Men’s Super League champions, Griffith College Éanna were taken to double-overtime before finally managing to pip EJ Sligo All-Stars 100-99 in an edge-of-the-seat encounter in Coláiste Éanna on Saturday night.

Darren McGovern’s side had to fight their way back from 10 points down early in the fourth, Mark Reynolds holding his nerve from the free-throw line to tie the game up and force added time.

Tyland Crawford, on his debut for the Dublin side, put up a combined 13 points with Sean Jenkins in overtime, taking their game total to 51, while Joshua Wilson carded 11 rebounds and nine assists to help see Éanna scrape over the line against their Sligo rivals, who had five players in double figures, including Jonathan Brown (25) and Thomas Child (22).

The victory marked a return to winning ways in the league for Éanna, after successive reversals at the hands of Energywise Ireland Neptune and Killester saw them lose ground on table toppers, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.

“Sligo played flawless most of the game, but we got stops and played our way back to send it to overtime” said Éanna head coach, Darren McGovern.

“Again, some fantastic efforts defensively put us into position to win the game, but we have work to do to be more consistent and better overall” he admitted.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors remained six points clear at the summit following their facile 107-75 win over Maree in Tralee Sports Complex that extended their record to 7 and 0.

The Kerry side took all four quarters as Brandon Mahan, Rapolas Buivydas and Daniel Jokubaitis put up a total of 57 points, while Cian Sullivan mopped up 10 rebounds against a Maree outfit for whom Joe-Junior Mvuezolo and Jarett Haines each hit 20.

“I’m extremely happy with the overall team performance” said Tralee Head Coach, John Dowling. “Defensively we really stepped it up early and that was probably the difference overall.”

Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @MTU mounted a huge fourth-quarter comeback to dig out an 84-79 victory over Flexachem KCYMS in the early Saturday evening Men’s Super League fixture in MTU Arena.

Ballincollig come out on top in the early Men's Super League tip-off! 🔥

Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @ MTU 84-79 Flexachem KCYMS#BISL | #BITV pic.twitter.com/kWqJ1T8AJF

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) November 9, 2024

The homeside appeared to be on course for a third straight defeat as they found themselves nine-points adrift of their opponents heading into the closing seven minutes of action.

But timely threes down the stretch by Keelan Cairns and the newly-acquired Quashawn Lane, who also delivered in the paint and from the free-throw line, helped see Ballincollig pull this one out of the fire.

Todd Wolfe also played a big part in this victory for the Cork side, chalking up 25 points and eight rebounds to help counter to combined 66 from Flexachem’s Jeffrey Okeke, Beni Fungula and Jordan Blount.

Charlie Coombes’ last-minute bucket was all that separated Bright St. Vincent’s from Templeogue as they edged a 74-72 win in Saturday night’s bottom of the table Dublin derby in St. Vincent’s CBS.

In what was a frantic battle between two teams desperate for a second win in six league outings, it was the hosts who clinch the much-desired spoils, thanks in no small measure to Jaron Thames’ 24 points and the combined 23 rebounds that Giorgi Tvalabeishvili and Eoin McCann soaked up.

While the win lifted St. Vincent’s up into a share of ninth place, Templeogue have been left rooted to the foot of the table, despite the 55-point contribution they had from Immanuel Allen and Tavias Fagan. 

Just the one Men's Super League game remaining and it's a big one...👀#BISL | #BITV pic.twitter.com/FrIwZhUtjk

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) November 9, 2024

In Sunday’s Cork derby, it was UCC Demons who took the bragging rights as they chalked up a huge 106-76 triumph over Energywise Ireland Neptune in Mardyke Arena.

The hosts took every quarter in this showdown as Sean Clancey put up 20 points, while Elijah Tillman and James Hannigan each mopped up 10 under the boards and combined for 33 points to help their side move up the table for a share of third place alongside Killester.

In Men’s Division One, ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers brought to an end, Titans’ unbeaten start to the season, while extending theirs to six games, as they ran out comprehensive 101-70 winners in St. Mary’s Hall on Saturday evening.

Limerick Celtics are the only other unbeaten outfit in the division, the table toppers taking their record to 6 and 0 after they ran out 98-89 winners over Carrick Cruisers in Crescent College.

Ulster University fought back from seven points down in the second quarter to card an emphatic 102-79 triumph over Killarney Cougars in Jordanstown Sports Village, while Moy Tolka Rovers weathered a severe test by Tipp Talons to edge a 76-74 home win.

Limerick Sport Eagles emerged 109-82 winners over Joels Dublin Lions in UL Arena, while Mater Private Malahide prevailed 76-71 in overtime away to Maigh Cuilinn in University of Galway Kingfisher.

There was success on the road also for Scotts Lakers Killarney and Team NorthWest, the former edging an 86-83 win over Drogheda Wolves in Ballymakenny College, while NorthWest clinched a 75-73 triumph over SETU Waterford Vikings in Carrickpherish Hall. 

In what was the only Women’s Division One fixture during this week’s international window, Abbey Seals Dublin Lions went joint second in the table with iSecure Swords Thunder following their 89-68 victory over Templeogue in Coláiste Bríde.